It has been a few years since my last visit to Benkovitz. Not that there was anything wrong with the place at all, but with Wholey's and their great fish sandwiches just being a short walk away, it was an easy choice of where to go.

Benkovitz had been reviewed on this site until the family sold it in 2007. I visited a few times right after the new owners took over and the food was still good. I had no idea that the business started in the Hill District.

I agree that Wholey's has a better fish sandwich. That first time, there was NO parking anywhere near the place, not even the free lot across the street. I knew Benkovitz had their own parking lot so it was easier on Michael with his hip/walking problems to go there.

I too was saddened to hear about Benkovitz closing their retail operations so suddenly and without notice. They had sold their wholesale fish business, Nordic Fisheries several years ago to Pittsburgh Seafoods. I went there on Ash Wednesday and the place was crowded. Another Pittsburgh institution for a future Rick Sebak show on "Places that aren't there Anymore".